Gk chesterton biography ian ker

How is it possible, then, that anyone could write a boring book about him? Eliza Sims. Chris Kan. A detailed, compassionate look at a deeply influential English writer and intellectual. Painstakingly detailed. Author 8 books 41 followers. Sadly, this is a rather heavy-going biography of Chesterton, not at all comparable with Maisie Ward's original one.

I couldn't read more than about 50 pages. At almost pages, this tome is almost as large as Chesterton six footer and three hundred pounder. Ker, who has written extensively on presence of Catholics and Catholicism from the midth to the midth centuries, also wrote a monumental biography of John Henry Newman. Each alone is a monumental achievement, and taken together, they are breath-taking.

I perused the Newman in a book store and I intend to read it as well one day.

Gk chesterton biography ian ker

If one looks at the critical reception of this biography, one can see a clear and plain divide between those who dislike Chesterton and those who adore him. There appears to be a fence-sitter when it comes to Chesterton. Chesterton's output is staggering in sheer size, ranging from novels, plays, poetry, essays, literary criticism, political commentary, etc.

Ker could not survey the whole lot, but presents excellent summaries of Chesterton's major works. It is clear that Ker not only adores Chesterton, he shares his wit s well. Until Ker, Chestertonian biography was largely first-hand accounts and subsequent rehashings. For many reasons, archival resources are not as extensive as one might have expected.

Unless and until more primary documents appear, Ker's will be the standard for many years to come. I admit, I found parts of the book hard going because, in all honesty, I have not read Chesterton extensively but what I have read has made me an unabashed admirer , and I have not read all that Chesterton read that he commented on.

The only thing more fun than reading this biography is reading Chesterton himself. Massive, not for the faint of heart. This brilliant book offers a comprehensive perspective on the life and work of GKC. This is truly excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole ride. Join the discussion. On just about every page, one will find extended quotes from Chesterton, of the kind that display his personality and overall joie de vivre.

The author made me rediscover my early love of Chesterton and his perspective on the world, and for that I am deeply grateful. Mastering Chesterton's output is a heroic feat in itself. Surely the best is found in his constant stress on the link between the comic and the serious in Chesterton. Ker's biography is essential, a labor of love to be sure What his biography adds is a judicious critical eye that will help make the case that Chesterton is bigger than the keepers of culture have allowed.

But the need for a proper critical biography has long been acknowledged, and Ker has supplied it. Now, and for the foreseeable future, for any true understanding of the scope of G. Chesterton's achievement, which captures not only the sage but the good, gentle, generous man, Ker's biography will be indispensable. We cannot recommend this volume too highly.

Have a question about this product? Ask us here. The Everlasting. Distributism and Apologetics. Rome and America Again. Shaw and Beaconsfield. Father Brown and the Marconi Scandal. Chesterton G. Chesterton is the first comprehensive biography of both the man and the writer. It draws on many unpublished letters and papers to evoke Chesterton's joyful humour, his humility and affinity to the common man, and his love of the ordinary things of life.

Ian Ker has taught both English literature and theology in universities in the United States and Britain, where he currently teaches in the theology faculty. Smartphones and tablets. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.